Crime Watch: Man tells police meth made him do it

Crime Watch is a weekly series culled from reports provided by the Santa Monica Police Department. These are arrests only. All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Monday, June 10, at 9:33 p.m.,

Santa Monica police officers were called to the 2000 block of Pico Boulevard regarding a man possibly walking down the street carrying a shotgun. When officers arrived they set up a perimeter and began searching for the suspect, who witnesses identified as a male wearing a beige rain jacket, white shirt, no pants and red underwear. The suspect was located on the 1900 block of Alley 18. He was sifting through trash cans and using a long pole, not a shotgun, police said. He was identified by the witness and during the investigation officers determined the suspect was under the influence of meth. The suspect also allegedly told officers that when he is high the drug makes him dress up and walk around. The suspect was placed under arrest for being under the influence. He was identified as Derek Clement, 56, a transient. His bail was set at $2,500.

Thursday, June 13, at 11:35 p.m.,

Officers responded to the 3100 block of Sixth Street regarding a report of a theft that just occurred. While en route, officers were advised that the alleged victim was struggling with a woman over a bicycle. When officers arrived they made contact with three people in an alley to the rear of an apartment complex. The person who called police said she returned home and after parking her car one street over she walked down the alley to her apartment. In doing so she saw a woman sitting on the ground near some bolt cutters. She also noticed the bike sitting next to the woman was her roommate‚Äôs and is usually locked in the carport. She also saw a man lying on the ground who appeared to be sleeping. When she questioned the female suspect, the woman suddenly stood up and tried to use the bike as a weapon, police said. The alleged victim grabbed the bicycle and took the suspect to the ground, where she held her until police arrived. Both suspects were arrested and transported to a local hospital to be treated for being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. After being cleared, both were booked. Police said during a search they found methamphetamine in the suspects‚Äô possession. The suspects were identified as Candice Harris, 26, a transient, and Hunter Merkel, 27, a transient. Both were booked for burglary, receiving stolen property, transportation of a controlled substance, being under the influence, possession of burglary tools and drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $50,000 each.

Friday, June 14, at 5:32 a.m.,

Officers responded to the 1200 block of 10th Street regarding a report of a theft that just occurred. While en route, officers were told by dispatchers that the two suspects were walking on 10th Street at Arizona Avenue. The suspects were detained and the alleged victim contacted. They told officers that the two suspects were seen walking inside a parking garage with flashlights. He went on to say that he went to the parking garage and found his bicycle was missing. As he looked around for it he said he found the bike at the apartment building next door. When he looked into his vehicle he said he also saw that his iPod was missing. He identified the suspects as the ones in custody. Officers searched them and found the victim‚Äôs iPod. Furthermore, one was in possession of a glass pipe commonly used to smoke meth. Both were arrested. Bryan Bybee, 39, of Malibu, was booked for two outstanding warrants and burglary. No bail was set. William Fausto, 38, a transient, was booked for burglary, possession of drug paraphernalia and one warrant. His bail was set at $50,250.

Wednesday, June 12, at 10:38 p.m.,

Officers responded to the area of Fourth Street and Ashland Avenue regarding a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area. When officers arrived they made contact with a man standing outside a white BMW with the emergency flashers on. He told officers that he was waiting for a friend, but did not know where he was coming from. When asked for identification, the man was allegedly not able to produce any. He gave officers permission to search the car. Officers said they found a glass pipe used to smoke meth under the driver‚Äôs floor mat. Meth was also located inside the car, police said. The suspect was arrested and booked for possession of drug paraphernalia and meth, plus an outstanding warrant. He was identified as Benjamin Trejo, 46, a transient. His bail was set at $40,000.

Wednesday, June 12, at 8:52 a.m.,

Officers responded to the corner of Second Street and Colorado Avenue ‚Äî McDonald‚Äôs ‚Äî regarding a report of someone being beaten. When officers arrived they made contact with a security guard at the fast-food restaurant who said he was slapped by a woman who was denied entrance because she was screaming and causing a disturbance as she walked up to the restaurant. The security guard held the woman down until police arrived. He said she threatened to kill him several times before the police showed up. Officers placed the woman under arrest for battery and two warrants. She was identified as Crystal Servillo, 35, a transient. Her bail was set at $31,000.